Participatory Methods

Circular Conversations

Circular Conversations is a participatory activity designed to foster group interaction in an active and dynamic way. Participants walk in circles while interacting with different people, following instructions or prompts given by the facilitator. It’s ideal as an icebreaker or to promote group cohesion in educational, workplace, or community settings. This activity focuses on interpersonal connection and learning through meaningful conversations in motion.

Preparation

  1. Define the purpose:
    • Encourage interaction and mutual understanding among participants.
    • Promote a relaxed and dynamic environment for sharing ideas.
    • Create meaningful connections within the group.
  2. Prepare the materials:
    • A spacious area where participants can comfortably walk in circles.
    • A list of questions or conversation topics.
    • Optional: background music to set the rhythm.
  3. Set up the space:
    • Make sure the area is large enough for participants to move around without bumping into each other.
  4. To conduct the activity virtually:
    • Use collaborative platforms with breakout room features to pair or group participants.
    • Provide topics or questions to guide the conversations in each virtual room.

Step-by-step instructions

  1. Introduction:
    • Explain the purpose of the activity and how it will work.
    • Mention that they should walk in circles and stop to interact with the nearest person when they hear a signal.
  2. Start walking:
    • Ask participants to begin walking in a large circle while listening to instructions.
    • Optional: Use music to signal the start and end of each conversation round.
  3. Interaction:
    • Give a signal for participants to stop and talk to the nearest person.
    • Provide a topic or question to guide the conversation, such as:
      • What is something you enjoy doing in your free time?
      • What has been a recent memorable moment for you?
      • If you could visit any place in the world, where would you go?
  4. Change partners:
    • After a few minutes, ask participants to start walking again and repeat the process with new partners and topics.
  5. Closing:
    • End with a group reflection where participants share something interesting they learned from the conversations.
Recommendations

Before the activity

  • Know your audience: Make sure the questions are relevant and respectful.
  • Prepare engaging questions: Include fun, thought-provoking topics related to the purpose of the event.
  • Space and logistics: Ensure there’s enough space for participants to move comfortably, or set up the virtual platform properly.

During the activity

  • Set the tone: Encourage participants to interact without pressure, creating a relaxed atmosphere.
  • Adjust the pace: Modify the duration of the rounds according to the group’s energy.

After the activity

  • Group reflection: Invite participants to share meaningful insights or connections they made.
  • Connect the outcomes: Relate the interactions to the objectives of the event or workshop.
Inspiration

Examples of questions or conversation topics:

  • If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
  • What motivates you to keep learning?
  • What’s your happiest childhood memory?
  • If you could time travel, where would you go?
  • What would you do if you won the lottery?
  • What’s your favorite book or movie?
  • What are you passionate about in your work or studies?

Variations or tips to make the activity more meaningful:

  • Themed rounds: Dedicate each round to a topic such as innovation, creativity, or leadership.
  • Cultural connection: Use questions related to culture, such as favorite traditions or typical foods.
  • Personal reflection: Introduce deeper topics like personal goals or life lessons.
  • Collaborative task: After each conversation, participants work together to solve a small challenge or share a creative idea.
  • Context adaptation: In business settings, use questions focused on projects or organizational vision.
Materials
  • Spacious area.
  • List of questions or topics.
  • Optional: background music.
Online platforms
Purpose
The purpose of Circular Conversations is to promote meaningful and dynamic interactions among participants, helping them get to know each other better, share ideas, and create an atmosphere of trust and collaboration.
Type of activity
Collective ReflectionParticipatory InteractionParticipatory LearningParticipatory Planning
Level of participation
Information, Inquiry, Knowledge generation
Target audience
Students, NGOs and social collectives, Business teams
Fields of application
Education and training, Community development, Organizational and business management, Urban and rural planning, Health and social well-being, Art, culture, and creativity, Sustainability and environment, Public policies and governance, Innovation and design, Research and evaluation, Conflict resolution, Technology and digital environments, Citizen and social participation
Estimated duration
15-30 minutes.
Ideal number of participants
10-30 people.
Topics related to this activity
Collective Social ActionActive CollaborationActive ListeningConexión humanaEffective CommunicationGroup EnergizerGroup IdentityGroup StrengtheningHuman ConnectionIcebreaker ActivityKnowledge GenerationParticipatory ResearchPerspective ExchangePositive Communication
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